Hollywood heart-throb Gerard Butler returned to Glasgow last night for the premiere of his latest film. Hundreds of screaming fans gathered to see the Paisley-born film star on the red carpet at Cineworld on Renfrew Street for the screening of LawAbiding Citizen, which he also co-produced. Butler said: “It’s a big deal, the fact I’m coming back to Glasgow.

“It’s the first movie I’ve produced, I’m very proud of it and we thought it would be great to have the premiere here rather than in London. It felt like a nice touch to celebrate where I came from.” Fans went into a frenzy when the star arrived, with some queuing since 6am to catch a glimpse of him.

Some even travelled from as far away as the USA, Japan and Germany. And they were not disappointed when Gerard signed autographs and posed for pictures, bringing traffic to a standstill.

Moira Fraser, 40, from Inverkeithing, Fife, said: “We’ve been to the NewYork and LA premieres so this is him bringing his baby home. He’s just a wonderful bloke.” Sheila Bryson, 43, from Bearsden, said: “I’m a great fan – what isn’t there to like? My family think I’m absolutely mad!” One lucky competition winner scooped a Herald contest to meet her hero at the premiere.

Student Nicola Kennedy, 19, from Paisley, who took along friend Colette Delaney, 19, said: “I love everything about him. His acting is amazing – and his looks help too!We got hugs and he was really chatty.”

The actor, who wore a kilt for the premiere, firmly scotched rumours he’s dating actress Jennifer Aniston, and said he’d love to meet a Glasgow girl. He told The Herald: “If I was dating JenniferAniston I would be proud to bring her here – she would love to come to Glasgow – but none of the rumours are true. I would be more than happy to find a Glasgow woman!”

Butler made his stage debut at age 12 at Glasgow’s King’s Theatre when he performed in Oliver. He trained as a lawyer in the city for seven years but was fired a week before he qualified. After turning to acting, he appeared on the stage in London before making his film debut in Mrs Brown. In LawAbiding Citizen, which also stars Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx, Butler plays Clyde Shelton, whose family are brutally murdered.

The prosecutor Nick (Foxx) cuts a deal which saves one of the killers from death row. But 10 years later, the killer is murdered and Clyde admits his guilt, while warning Nick that he and the system will pay the price for letting him down. It is at cinemas from November 27.